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Cool but approachable

Regarding your story “At 31, Bill Bell said, ‘If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.’ He did, and changed Durham” and asking what readers will remember about the mayor:

I’ll remember a smart, cool-but-approachable guy thoughtfully leading the most remarkable turnaround I’ve seen in three decades of watching national, state and local politics.

Cheers, Mayor Bell, on a truly legendary run.

Billy Warden

via Facebook

The minor leagues

I read with interest the article by Andrew Carter on switching from Converse to Nike. Regarding his quote about Nike entering “the business of college sports,” it was interesting to see someone actually call college sports a business. Everyone knows that for baseball, basketball and football, colleges are nothing more than minor leagues for the professional sports.

He goes on to discuss the investigation by the FBI on charges of inducements being paid to high-profile basketball recruits. The only point he missed was that this “business” of college sports is being treated as a charity. The apparel companies, such as Nike, treat this activity as a business and the expenses are written off as advertisement. Why are not the colleges treating this sporting activity as a business and paying taxes as other ‘businesses’ run by the colleges are so treated?

The educational aspect of college is being overlooked in favor of these businesses, therefore the businesses should be taxed. Oh, where is the IRS?

Robert H. Appleby

Durham

Medicare deadline

If you have Medicare but haven’t selected a 2018 Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan, the Dec. 7 annual enrollment deadline is quickly approaching. Here are five simple steps to help you make the best decision:

1. Review your current Medicare health plan. Analyze how much you’ve spent on health care during the past year, including hospital expenses, prescriptions and doctor bills.

2. Know your options. Choices include:

Original Medicare, which provides basic coverage for medical expenses without coverage for most prescriptions, and includes cost-sharing in the form of deductibles and coinsurance. This is Medicare Parts A and B.

Medicare Advantage, which includes all of the coverage offered under Original Medicare through a private insurer, and may include added benefits, such as dental, hearing and vision coverage, a nurse advice line and fitness program, as well as prescription drug coverage. This is Medicare Part C.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, which offer coverage for prescription medications, and can be added to Original Medicare, or some Medicare Advantage Plans that do not include prescription drug coverage. This is Medicare Part D.

3. Comparison Shop. Once you choose the type of Medicare plan that best fits your needs, research the costs, benefits, and network of doctors and hospitals associated with each plan.

4. Consider the “extras” included.Some Medicare Advantage plans include extra benefits, such as a fitness program and exercise classes specifically designed for people with Medicare. Others include dental, vision and hearing benefits.

5. Get help.You can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (or TTY: 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 2018 Medicare plan information. Or you can call Humana at 1-888-204-4062 (TTY users can use 711). Websites like www.Medicare.gov and www.humana.com/medicarecan also help you research plans available in your area before the Dec. 7 Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan annual enrollment deadline.

Neil Steffens

Mid-Atlantic Medicare President

Humana

What you’re saying

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